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"Penn Foster made my goal easily attainable while working a full-time job. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Penn Foster, I will further my education here, because I will never become too old to learn."

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Business Management Program Overview

At Penn Foster College, you can take the first steps towards a career in a wide variety of entry-level management positions in the for-profit and not-for-profit sector of the economy, including various supervisory, analyst, operations, administrative, and service functions. Earn your Bachelor’s in Business Management here and take the first step toward a career in a field that pays business managers an average annual salary of $81,080.¹

Our online business management courses allow you to study for your degree at home or on the go, and at a pace that’s right for you. Plus, we offer credits at an average of $79 with no application fee.

The American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for many Penn Foster College courses. Students who plan to continue their education with another school after completing coursework a Bachelor's in Business Management at Penn Foster College should check with that school regarding credit transfer policies. No form of accreditation guarantees that any learning institution will accept credits from any school as transfer credits.

Bachelor's Degrees from Penn Foster College are awarded under licensing from the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education.

Curriculum Details

Program Goal and Outcomes

To prepare students for professional opportunities in management by providing a thorough background in the functional areas of modern business, such as human resources, finance/accounting, administration, marketing, and operations. Students will obtain skills they can apply immediately in the business workplace and the professional practices and benefits of general education required for lifelong personal growth in today's global economy. In addition, this program provides a foundation for further studies.

Semester 1

All degree applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

This course provides students with a foundation in the basic concepts of public speaking. Students will learn how to research, organize and write effective speeches, incorporate presentation aids, and rehearse and deliver speeches effectively. Students will prepare, rehearse, record and submit speeches in a number of rhetorical styles to be graded.

Objectives:

Demonstrate knowledge of the importance and benefits of public speaking

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

Study term risk, business risk, personal risk, pure risk, and other types of risk, and learn major risk management methods and organization of the risk management function within business.

Minimize the cost of risk to maximize business value and the possible conflicts between business and societal objectives.

Learn how pooling of independent loss exposures reduces risk.

Learn when legal liability affects safety incentives.

Study the tax benefits associated with life insurance and annuity products.

Learn major types of employee benefits and why firms provide them.

Get the basic history, features, and economic rationale of workers’ compensation laws and liability insurance.

Study Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability and Medicare programs, benefits, and their financing.

Find out about major types of property-casualty insurance contracts purchased by businesses and describe the negotiation of commercial insurance programs.

Discover basic derivative contracts (options, forwards, futures, and swaps) commonly used for hedging, and distinctions between insurance and derivatives contracts.

FIN305 - Securities and Investments

Objectives:

Study securities, and find out about markets.

Study how to do a technical analysis. Learn how to select and create an investment portfolio.

HRM320 - Employee Benefits

Objectives:

Discover legally required social insurance programs for employees in the United States.

Learn about the characteristics of group insurance and individual insurance in the categories of life, medical, dental, and disability.

Compare managed care plans with traditional medical expense plans.

Study the general requirements that must be met by qualified pension plans with respect to eligibility and plan coverage; nondiscrimination in benefits and contributions; funding; vesting; limitations on benefits and contributions; payout restrictions; and top-heavy rules.

Learn the difference in pension benefit formulas.

Discover general features of pension funding instruments and when each might best be used.

Interpret qualified and nonqualified pension plans.

HRM350 - Labor Relations

Objectives:

Learn the current trends in labor organization in light of changes in the labor force, such as the trend toward a two-tier wage system.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

Study term risk, business risk, personal risk, pure risk, and other types of risk, and learn major risk management methods and organization of the risk management function within business.

Minimize the cost of risk to maximize business value and the possible conflicts between business and societal objectives.

Learn how pooling of independent loss exposures reduces risk.

Learn when legal liability affects safety incentives.

Study the tax benefits associated with life insurance and annuity products.

Learn major types of employee benefits and why firms provide them.

Get the basic history, features, and economic rationale of workers’ compensation laws and liability insurance.

Study Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability and Medicare programs, benefits, and their financing.

Find out about major types of property-casualty insurance contracts purchased by businesses and describe the negotiation of commercial insurance programs.

Discover basic derivative contracts (options, forwards, futures, and swaps) commonly used for hedging, and distinctions between insurance and derivatives contracts.

FIN305 - Securities and Investments

Objectives:

Study securities, and find out about markets.

Study how to do a technical analysis. Learn how to select and create an investment portfolio.

HRM320 - Employee Benefits

Objectives:

Discover legally required social insurance programs for employees in the United States.

Learn about the characteristics of group insurance and individual insurance in the categories of life, medical, dental, and disability.

Compare managed care plans with traditional medical expense plans.

Study the general requirements that must be met by qualified pension plans with respect to eligibility and plan coverage; nondiscrimination in benefits and contributions; funding; vesting; limitations on benefits and contributions; payout restrictions; and top-heavy rules.

Learn the difference in pension benefit formulas.

Discover general features of pension funding instruments and when each might best be used.

Interpret qualified and nonqualified pension plans.

HRM350 - Labor Relations

Objectives:

Learn the current trends in labor organization in light of changes in the labor force, such as the trend toward a two-tier wage system.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

Study term risk, business risk, personal risk, pure risk, and other types of risk, and learn major risk management methods and organization of the risk management function within business.

Minimize the cost of risk to maximize business value and the possible conflicts between business and societal objectives.

Learn how pooling of independent loss exposures reduces risk.

Learn when legal liability affects safety incentives.

Study the tax benefits associated with life insurance and annuity products.

Learn major types of employee benefits and why firms provide them.

Get the basic history, features, and economic rationale of workers’ compensation laws and liability insurance.

Study Social Security retirement, survivor, and disability and Medicare programs, benefits, and their financing.

Find out about major types of property-casualty insurance contracts purchased by businesses and describe the negotiation of commercial insurance programs.

Discover basic derivative contracts (options, forwards, futures, and swaps) commonly used for hedging, and distinctions between insurance and derivatives contracts.

FIN305 - Securities and Investments

Objectives:

Study securities, and find out about markets.

Study how to do a technical analysis. Learn how to select and create an investment portfolio.

HRM320 - Employee Benefits

Objectives:

Discover legally required social insurance programs for employees in the United States.

Learn about the characteristics of group insurance and individual insurance in the categories of life, medical, dental, and disability.

Compare managed care plans with traditional medical expense plans.

Study the general requirements that must be met by qualified pension plans with respect to eligibility and plan coverage; nondiscrimination in benefits and contributions; funding; vesting; limitations on benefits and contributions; payout restrictions; and top-heavy rules.

Learn the difference in pension benefit formulas.

Discover general features of pension funding instruments and when each might best be used.

Interpret qualified and nonqualified pension plans.

HRM350 - Labor Relations

Objectives:

Learn the current trends in labor organization in light of changes in the labor force, such as the trend toward a two-tier wage system.

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

Computer Specifications
As you know this is an online academic program. This means you will need high-speed internet access to begin your program. In addition, you will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows 7® or later, Microsoft® Office 365, and an email account to participate in and complete your program.

NOTE: Advanced standing student shipments may vary from the above schedule.
Although this outline covers all eight semesters of your program, you receive lesson materials for each semester as you enroll.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
Credits earned in Penn Foster programs may transfer to some, but not all, learning institutions. If you are planning to continue your education with another school after you earn your degree from Penn Foster, you should check with that school regarding credit transfer policies.
Microsoft, Windows, Excel, and PowerPoint are registered trademarks and Word is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
Apple, Mac, and OS X are trademarks of Apple, Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
Peachtree is a registered trademark of Sage Software, Inc. in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.
QuickBooks is a trademark of Intuit, Inc. registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Sample Lesson

To view a sample lesson from our online Business Management courses, click here.

Business Management Bachelor's Degree Program Details

In the Penn Foster Business Management training courses, you'll cover topics such as:

Basic operations, including financial statements and ratios, and interpreting and presenting business data

Fundamentals of organizing, communication and teamwork, technology and information, and the corporate and global environment

Effective speaking skills and how to write memos, reports, and business letters

The Business Management Bachelor's Degree Program can help students learn how to create marketing strategies, organize a merger, or manage a new project to expand a company. Here are a few qualities that effective business managers have in common:

Flexible: They are productive despite changes to their business.

Organized: A business has a lot of moving pieces to keep on track.

Honest: A manager must make decisions that are ethical and responsible.

Detail oriented: It’s important to have a sharp eye and analyze a situation.

There’s a lot to running your own business. It’s something you should really take classes for. I think this will turn more profit [for my business] because I will be more qualified. Click here to hear more about Sammi’s Penn Foster experience.

- Sammi D., Business Management Bachelor's Degree student

My name is Sawyer G. I am a professional, 25-year-old, adult male. … Penn Foster not only gave me a second chance in life, it lunged me forward into the path of success that I always knew I could obtain. Click here to read Sawyer's inspiring story.

Access 24/7 to Penn Foster’s online community, plus immediate membership in the Business Management academic group

Your personalized online student homepage and learning portal

Additional resources such as our online library and career guidance from Career Cruising

How and when do I choose electives for Business Management?

Electives can be chosen online through the student portal or by calling 1-888-427-1000. As Penn Foster College students work at their own pace, students can choose electives at their leisure.

Do Business Management students have to attend webinars? How do the webinars work?

Yes, there are several webinars for business management students. Students register for webinars through the student portal. More information on webinars can be found on the Community.

Will my Penn Foster College credits transfer to other schools?

Penn Foster College credits have been accepted for transfer into many colleges across the country. Students should check with a specific college to see if they accept our credits, as credit transfer can vary depending on the school. Also, the American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has evaluated and recommended college credit for many Penn Foster College courses. No form of accreditation guarantees that any learning institution will accept credits from any school as transfer credits. For more information on transferring credits, click here.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, "Occupational Outlook Handbook," 2014-15 Edition, Administrative Services Managers,
on the Internet here. Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.